‘Blade Runner 2049’: Barkhad Abdi Shares New Character Details

The ‘Captain Phillips’ star plays a scientist he describes as “totally deformed.”

Oscar nominee Barkhad Abdi is headed to the future for Blade Runner 2049 — and he’s revealing a few details about his character.

“He’s a scientist,” Abdi tells Heat Vision of his role in the film, a sequel to Ridley Scott’s 1982 classic, “and he’s totally deformed.”

Footage from director Denis Villeneuve’s Blade Runner 2049stunned audiences at CinemaCon last month, with the presentation helping assure viewers the film truly was expanding on Scott’s vision. The sequel stars Ryan Gosling as Officer Q, original star Harrison Ford as Rick Deckard, as well as Jared Leto, Robin Wright and Ana de Armas. It takes place decades after Blade Runner, with Q tracking down Deckard for a mysterious purpose.

For Abdi, who shot scenes with Gosling, the weight of living up to the original was on his mind. “It’s not pressure, it’s a blessing,” says Abdi.

“But for me, I do everything that I do to the full extent like it’s the last one. I feel an obligation to overpass Captain Phillips — that’s my goal,” adds the actor, who has since also co-starred in Eye in the Sky opposite Helen Mirren, and the upcoming Dabka with Evan Peters. “So every time I have an opportunity, I like to do what I can, because I’m all about this [career].”

Blade Runner 2049 opens Oct. 6. Warner Bros. is distributing the film domestically. Sony is Alcon Entertainment’s worldwide partner on the film and is distributing it internationally.